Volatilizing device



VOLATILI ZING DEVI C E Filed August 25, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

2 ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 28 1926.

M. R. ALANSON VOLATILIZING DEVICE Filed August 23,; 1922 '2 Sheets-Shet2 I N V EN TO R. /1////0/1 4/a/1Ja/1 A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

HILTON R. ALAN SON OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

VOLATILIZIN G DEVICE.

Application filed August 23, 1922. Serial No. 583,708.

My invention relates to a device for volatilizing liquids of variouskinds, such as perfumes, or solutions having medicinal qualities, and isan improvement over the volatilizer shown and described in myco-pendingapplication, entitled volatilizing device, having Serial No.557 ,621, filed May 1, 1922.

My present invention contemplates the use of an ordinary electric lightglobe as a volatilizing means, as in my earlier application; but inaddition it includes the use of a device which may be attached to theglobe quickly and without any difiiculty whatsoever, which devicecarries wicks or other absorbent material adapted to be impregnated withthe liquid. Although this device is particularly well adapted for thispurpose, it is of course possible to make use of itfor supporting otherarticles or devices on a lamp globe, such as a reflector or a tray.

When such a volatilizer is used for medicinal purposes as for inhaling,it is beneficial to mix the volatilized vapors intimately with ordinarywater vapor,or to use several kinds of medicated vapors simultaneously.With my device the proper mix ture of the vapors may be easily effected,the same source being utilized to act upon the various medicaments, andalso upon the water. Furthermore the mechanical construction is such asto facilitate the proper intermingling 10f the vapors. It iis well knownthat the best therapeutical effects are obtained when such a mixture isinhaled or otherwise applied but heretofore so far as I am aware,comparativelycrude devices have been utilized and comparatively cruderesults obtained in this field.

The device is also advantageous where it is necessary to use a reservoirof the material to be volatilized, since the device may conveniently beused in any position without danger of spilling.

My invention possesses other advantageous features, some of which withthe fore going, will be set forth at length in the followingdescription, where I shall outline in full those forms of the inventionwhich I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying andforming part of the present application. In the drawings I have 'shownonly a few embodiments of my invention. but it is to be understood thatI do not wish to be limited to those forms, since the invention asexpressed in the claims may be embodied in other forms as 'well.

Referring to the drawings:

- Figure 1 is a sectional view along a longitudinal axis of one form ofmy volatilizer,

in which there is utilized a container for the medicament for permittinglong and continued volatilization;

Fig. 2 is a similar View of a slightly modified form, in which the basesupport is differcut, and showing how it is possible to replace thecontainer of Fig. 1 with some form of ornament in case there is nonecessity for providing a large body of liquid;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken near the tip of the globe,showing how the elements which are used for absorbing the liquid aredisposed around the globe to'p;

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the detachable hand e which may be used withthe device;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line 55 of Fig. 1, and illustrates howthe device is supported on its pedestal;

Fig. 6 is a view showing a further modification of the volatilizer,especially adapted for ornamental forms;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing the application of the device toan anesthetlzer;

Fig. 8 is a view showing how'the device may be utilized for purposesother than volatilization, as for example for supportmg a tray on anelectric light globe;

Fig. 9 is a fractional top plan View of the base used in themodification of Fi 2;

Fig. 10 is a view showing how this ase may be used for supporting theentire volatilizer on its handle so that its axis is horizontal and itis in an advantageous position for use as an inhaler;

Fig. 11 is a detail of construction of cer-.

tain of the volatilizer elements; and

Fig.v 12 is a modification of the detail shown in Fig. 11.

In the modification shown in Fig. 1, I show a volatilizing devicesupported on the globe 11, which serves both by its heat and light, tovolatilize and diffuse the material 12 in a container or bottle 13. Inorder to carry the material 12 near to the globe in small quantities soas to secure rapid volatilization, I employ a plurality of wicks 14 orother absorbent material, which may be supported close to the surface ofthe globe by the aid of a cage-like resilient structure 15, closelyembracing the globe 11 and supported thereon. The resilient cage maycomprisea pair of annularly arranged helical springs 16 and 17 to whichare hooked I the connecting springs 18. These springs 18 are preferablyevenly spaced around the circles formed by the springs 16 and 17 andthere may be as many of these springs 18 as desired, although I havefound that six springs are ample for substantially all purposes.

Each of the wicks 14 are preferably threaded through two adjacentsprings 18 and also through a small portion of the top spring 16. Inthis way the two ends of the wick-14 extend downwardly and the wickforms a loop which is separated from the globe surface by the thicknessof the wire used in the spring 18, although it is of course possible tothread only a portion of the loop through the springs and permit theremainder to rest directly on the globe surface. The wire for thesprings is preferably made of such material such as phosphor bronze orsteel so that it may the better withstand the conditions of service. Theconnection between springs 18 and 16 or 17 may be efiected by hooks asshown but of course other mechanical arrangements may be utilized.Furthermore the ends of spring 16 or 17 are united by any appropriatemeans, so that the spring forms a circle; one means is shown in greaterdetail in Fig. 11. A stud 44 having enlarged, beveled ends 45 is usedfor this purpose. The diameter of the ends is just a slight amountlarger than the inside diameter of the spring when it is in a freecondition, so that when the spring ends are placed over the parts 45,and made to enter the space formed between these parts, they cannot beseparated because they abut the rear shoulders 46 of the members 45, andthe locking is thus made positive. The bevels are provided on the ends45 in order to facilitate the expansion of the spring end while it isbeing slipped over the part 45. It is possible to secure good efiects incoupling the ends of the spring together by properly choosing thedimensions of the stud 44. Thus I find it advisable to make the diameterof the ends 45 less than the outside diameter of the spring when in atree condition by about the diameter of the wire. Furthermore the widthof this part exclusive of the bevel should be about equal to thediameter of the wire, and the distance between the shoulders 46 shouldbe about large enough to accommodate three turns of wire close together.

The connection of the spring ends may be efi'ected in still other ways.Another convenient way is shown in Fig. 12, where the spring 16 has itsend connected by means of a threaded piece 73 screwed into both ends ofthe spring. This member 73 is so proportioned that it spreads the turnsof the spring 16 slightly as it is screwed in, and the threads are deepenough to prevent the separation of the ends by a straight pull.

As thus far described, it is evident that the cage 15 with theassociated wicks may readily he slipped over the globe 11, and thedimensions of the springs are so chosen that the globe is yieldingly andfirmly clasped by the cage in the position shown in Fig. 1. In thisposition the combined heat and light emitted by globe 11 serves tovolatilize the material carried by the wicks in an eflicient manner.

Although it is possible and sometimes preferably to impregnate the wicks14 by dropping the liquid directly on the wicks, I show these wicks 14as dipping into comparatively large body of liquid 12 in the bottle 13.This bottle is supported by the lower spring 17 of the spring cage, inthe manner shown. In order that the globe 11 may be supported inpositions other than the horizontal, I preferably supply a water tightstopper 19 for it preferably made of a good grade of yielding rubber.Apertures are provided in this stopper for permitting the entry of thewicks, and these apertures are just large enough for this purposewithout compressing the wicks to any material extent. Furthermore inorder to insure to a greater extent against spilling the liquid 12, Imay use a large body 20 ot' absorbent material disposed in the container13, to which the wicks may connect, and leave no "free liquid at alltherein. In that case the bottle 13 merely serves to catch the dripwhich might otherwise occur. To permit the wicks 14 to enter theapertures provided for them in the stopper 19, there may be provided astar shaped spacer 21 shown most clearly in Fig. 3. The wicks 14 maythen pass readily between the points 22 of the star. The star 21 may beused without the stopper 19, in which case the space between the points22 may be reduced merely to permit the entry of the wicks. Or on theother hand, the star 21 may be dispensed with, and knobs or projectionsmay be formed on the stopper to space it from the tip of the globe andto permit the wicks to enter the bottle without compression between thestopper and the globe.

The volatilizing device is especially useful where it is necessary totreat bronchial troubles with vapors of such substances as menthol oreucalyptol. The beneficial effects of such treatment are greatlyenhanced when they are intimately commingled with ordinary water vapor,or with other materials where several medicinal vapors aresimultaneously required. To produce this effect in a very simple andetficient manner, I place a tube 23 of absorbent material about theglobe 11, which tube may be soaked in water or may be constantlysupplied with water from a reservoir. The heat radiated from the globe11 sufiices to vaporize the water held in the tube 23. This tube may bemade of fabric or the like, and I have found several layers of absorbentgauze to serve this purpose well. In order to support this fabric Iprovide a wire screen 24 of tubular form about which the fabric 23 maybe wound. To hold the fabric to the wire screen, there may be used apair of collars 25and 26 slipping tightly into the ends of the screen24. The fabric 23 is turned into these ends before the collars 25 and 26are slipped in place, so that the fabric is firmly held between thesecollars and the wire screen 24.

Each of the looped wicks 14 may be impregnated or supplied withdifferent medicinal material. Of course under such circumstances theimpregnation may be effected by dropping the liquid directly on thewicks, or by permitting their ends to dip into separate containersinstead of the common bottle 12. In this way minute particles of severaldifferent kinds of liquids can be vaporized simultaneously, irrespectiveof their relative physical or chemical properties. For this purpose thewicks form a highly eflicient medium for carrying small particles of theliquids near to the heating element; simultaneous generation andintimate commingling of vapors of various characteristics are obtained.This is of great importance for use in inhalers where the combinedeffect of such a mixture is known to be therapeutically different andbetter than the effect of one kind of vapor at a time administered insuccession. So far as I am aware such an intimate commingling as Iobtain has not heretofore been accomplished in inhalers. Furthermore -Ihave noted that in an arrangement substantially like that of Figs. 1 and2, there is considerable saving in the material volatilized, since onlya few drops on the wicks are sufficient to produce an odor for severalhours. I believe this effect to be due to the use of the relatively thintube 23 of semi-permeable material. which acts as a screen forpermitting only the highly volatilized vapors through. The remainder' iscondensed within the tube and is again volatilized, Where some of itagain condenses Thus only those vapors which have the strongest effectare allowed to escape through the tube 23. This process thus results ina material economy in the use of the li uid.

Furthermore, the material vaporized directly at the globe 11 by the aidof the wicks 14 becomes yery intimately commingled with the water vaporgiven off from the screen 23. This screen or absorbent material thusaccomplishes two results; it

of the bottle or other container serves as a medium for suspending thewater in fine particles, whereby it may the more readily e volatilized,and it also serves to produce a substantially homogeneous mixture of thedifferent kinds of vapors asthey are transmitted to the external air.

The support for the entire device may conveniently be an ornamentalpedestal or base 27 having an aperture at the top, through which theprojecting beaded tip 28 of the support 29 may enter and be engaged bythe resilient clamps 3O fastened on the inside of the base 27. Thesupport 29 is formed with a rim 31 into whirh telescope; the bottom oftube 23. Screws 32 passing through these rims serve to hold thepartssecurely together. At the upper end of the tube 23 a member 33 isutilized of the same general outline as member 29, and serves to supportwithin it the socket or receptacle 71 for the globe 11. The entiredevice thus rest-s securely on the base 27. By providing suitableapertures in any or all of the members 23, 29 or 33, the vaporsgenerated within the device may be disseminated to the outer atmosphere.

Where prolonged volatilization of water is desired the member 29 mayserve conveniently as a receptacle for the water 3i which may have alevel high enough to reach the extending fabric from the bottom of thetube 23. In most instances however it is sufficient if the tube 23 issimply soaked in water and no reservoir need be used to allow it toremain continually impregnated. A cork 35 may be inserted in an aperturein the bottom of member 29 so as to permit the water 34 to be drainedoff. An additional glass stopper 36 may also be utilized to permit onlya small opening through member 29, and this may be of importance wherethe entire device is taken by the handle 37 and the aperture near thebottom of member 29 is placed near the mouth or nose of a patient. Forthis purpose the device is taken off the stand or base 27, and no wateris used in member 29. Either cork 35 or stopper 36 is removed, dependingon the size of the opening desired, and the. opening is held up to thenostrils or mouth.

The handle 37, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, is made of a strip ofresilient metal, and has slots 38 at its ends. In this way the handle isdetachable and may readily be manipulated to permit the slots 38 to fitaround the fastening screws 32 in the members 29 and 33, as shown mostclearly in Fig. 1. The handle 37 has a part 39 which forms shoulders 40between part 39 and the other portions of the handle.

In Fig. 2 I show a form of my invention in which there is an ornamentaldevice covering up the wicks 14, to take the place Such a device is ofuse when there is no need of volatilizing for an extended period, orwhere enough of the liquid may be soaked up by the wicks 14 to last therequired time. A spool 41 is shown, engaged by the lower spring 17 inthe same Way as the bottle 13 is held in the modification of Fig. 1.This spool has a central aperture 42 into which the wicks 14 extend anda tassel 43 is formed around the spool body to cover these wick ends.This arrangement is especially useful where the spring cage 15 isvisible, the tube 23 being removed or not in use. The tube 23 itself mayof course be appropriately ornamented. The base 47 of the form shown inFig. 2 is most clearly disclosed in the detail view of Fig. 9. Itconsists of a plurality of legs 48 which support a rim 49 engaging underthe rim 31 of the member 29. In this form I also show a flexible,non-resilient element such as a chain 72 in place of the top loopedspring 16 of Fig. 1.

This form has the advantage of being less expensive and more easilyassembled on globe 31.

The entire device in the form of Fig. 2 is capable of being supported bymeans of the handle 39 on the base 47 in a horizontal position. This isillustrated in Fig. 10. The length of the handle 39 between shoulders 40is just enough to fit inside the rim 49. In order to insure propersupport, I provide a pair of small lugs 50 on each side of the rim 49between which the handle 39 enters, and slots 51 may also be cut in thisrim for the same purpose. The horizontal position of the device isbetter adapted to its use as an inhaler. But under any circumstances thebase 47 might be dispensed with since it is possible to suspend theentire device from the lamp cords 5.2.

So far as the purposes of my invention are concerned it is notabsolutely essential that the absorbent elements for bringing the liquidnear the heated surface be in the form of wicks. In the modificationshown in Fig. 6 there is substituted an enveloping shade or cover 53 ofabsorbent material such as cloth, which is held near the globe 11 by theaid of a wire cage 54. The cover 53 may take the form of flower petals,and in this way its decorative effect may also be materially increased.The cage 54 has a ring 55 to which the ribs 56 are attached, and thisring in turn may be fastened as by welding or brazing to the innersurface of flange 58 of a metal spool 57. This flange forms a groove 59which may be used for holding a quantity of liquid to be volatilized;and into it the lower ends of the petal like cover portions may dip. Asbefore. a tassel 60 is provided on the spool 57 for decorative purposes.A pair of resilient looped clamps 73 are also attached to the flange 58,and are adapted'to hold the large part of lobe 11 resiliently betweenthem.

- The device is also susceptible of usefor administering anesthetics.One diagrammatic arrangement for doing this is shown in Fig. 7. In thisform there is an enclosed receptacle 61 into which extends the electriclight globe 11, carrying the spring enclosed wicks 14. These wicks areshown as dipping into the anesthetic 62 in the bottom of the receptacle61, As before the globe 11 volatilizes the finely divided liquid broughtnear it by the wicks 14, and the vaporized material passes into theadministering tube 63. In order to measure out the quantity ofanesthetic, the inverted can or bottle 64 is provided, communicatingwith the interior of receptacle 61 and having a control cook 65. As iscustomary a rebreathing bag 66 is also provided, as well asan inlet 67for conducting anesthetic of gaseous forms, such as nitrous oxide, tothe interior of box 61, where itis commingled with the anestheticvolatilized by the lamp 11.

The mechanical features of the spring cage 15 are found to have manyadvantages. For example I have found that the cage is capable ofsupporting a substantial load, and may be readily applied to a globe orsuch device for carrying a tray or the like. Such use of the cage isillustrated in Fig. 8, where the springs making up the cage are shown ascovered with felt or asbestos or other soft material in order to protectthe globe 11 better. A tray 68 is suspended at several points from aspool 69 held in the bottom spring 17. To strengthen the structure stillfurther, it is possible to use an intermediate encircling spring band 70around the cage 15. The tray 68 is very convenient for example in agarage for holdmg tools or the like. Of course other forms of loads canbe suspended from the cage 15,

and the cage itself is susceptible of use in connection with a greatvariety of devices in addition to electric globes.

I claim:

1. In a volatilizer, an absorbent element for holding matter to bevolatilized and adapted to be supported close to a source of heat, andanother absorbent element for holding matter to be volatilized, saidsecond element being positioned so as to extend around the firstelement, whereby simulianplous volatilization may be effected from 2. Ina volatilizer, an absorbent element for holding matter to be volatilizedand adapted to be supported close to a source of heat, and a cylinder ofabsorbent material for holding matter to be volatilized, said cylinderbeing disposed around the absorbent element, whereby simultaneousvolatilization may be effected from both.

' 3. In a volatilizer, a tube within which the volatilization is adaptedto take place. a base for detachably supporting the tube insubstantially a vertical position, said base having a rim, and a handlefor the tube, said handle adapted to support the tube on the base in asubstantially horizontal position by resting the handle portion on therim.

4. In a Volatilizer, a helical spring connected'at its ends to form aloop, another loop of flexible material, and a wick extending betweensaid two loops and supported thereby.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4, with the addition of acontainer adapted .to hold material to be volatilized, resilientlyheld'by the spring loop, and into which the wick extends.

6. In a volatilizer, a pair of flexible loops, helical springsconnecting the loops, and a Wick threaded through at least some of theportions of the springs and supported thereby.

7. In a Volatilizer adapted to be sup ported on an electric light globe,a helical spring connected at its ends to form a loop,

. another loop formed of flexible material,

helical springs connecting the loops, the loop formed of flexiblematerial being adapted to encompass the globe, a container resilientlyheld by the spring loop, and urged toward the tip of the globe, andwicks disposed in some of the springs and extending into the container.

8. The process of simultaneously volatilizing a plurality of materials,which comprises heating an absorbent element impregnated with one of thematerials to be volatilized, and passing the resultant volatilizedmaterial through an absorbent layer which carries another of thematerials to be V0latilized, while heating said layer so as to producevolatilization of the material associated therewith.

9. A device for S11 porting articles upon an electric light glo ecomprising a loop formed of flexible material, a helical looped spring,springs connecting the loop and the looped spring, and a supportingmember resiliently held by the looped spring.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

MILTON R. ALANSON.

